Dr. Ron Harriman
Director, United Nations Dept. of Scout Services
1 January 2295
Dear Finalist,
Let me be the first to extend to you congratulations. You have been selected as a member of the crew of the UNSS Discovery. Over the last year, we have pored through literally thousands of applications for this mission. The dozens of finalists for the fourteen slots on this mission were all so highly qualified that we were ultimately reduced to drawing lots.
As you probably recall from your initial screening interview last year, the UN Scout Service decided to open this mission of the Discovery to external bids because of the magnitude of the mission.
When the initial survey of Zeta Tucanae system was conducted in 2290, we had no idea that we would find a world placed almost perfectly in the habitable zone of the primary star. The initial survey, which did not conduct any detailed analysis of the worlds, produced evidence of a rich biomass on Zeta Tucanae 2. Never have we had such a potentially life-filled world on any of the planets we have studied.
This general survey mission for which you've been selected has two main purposes:
1: To conduct an initial survey of the ecosphere of ZT2, and
2: To determine the world's suitability as a future candidate for colonization.
The general survey mission is scheduled to require a total of one year, including five months of training before the mission, three months for transit to and from the star system, and one month for debrief. Three months will be spent in-system. A basecamp module will be dropped from orbit, and the survey team will be transported down by ship's boat.
As you will see when you board the Discovery, space is often at a premium. Each crew member will be restricted to 150kg of possessions. This 150kg limit includes the standard issue equipment that each person will receive (details below).
You have probably heard that the captain, the medical officer, and the geologist were selected over a month ago. All of these crew members are exemplary in their qualifications. George Pliny, Captain (ret.), US Interstellar Navy, has a long list of achievements both as a naval commander and as a Scout. Dr. M. Sean MacLaren has extensive medical expertise, and she also has many useful secondary skills, ranging from xeno-biology to wilderness survival. Bill "Rocky" Ordenberg is an expert geologist, with quite a few years of practical experience prospecting the asteroid belt. He also has many cross-applicable skills, qualifying him as an interface pilot and security specialist.
The remaining crew positions and responsibilities are:
Executive Officer: The XO is responsible for insuring that the Captain's orders are carried out. The XO is also responsible for setting watch duties for Second Watch (night shift). When the Captain is unavailable, the XO has command authority. A background in an interstellar navy or other space-going organization with command experience is desirable for this position. Limited ground time is expected.
Chief Engineer: The ChEng is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the sublight drives, jump (supralight) drive, and fusion reactor. The ChEng must also check and maintain readiness of the main power systems on the basecamp, ship's boat, and lifeboat. A background in the engineering department of a starship is essential, and practical knowledge of other ship subsystems (such as gravitics, mechanics, and electronics) is desirable. Limited ground time is expected.
Interface Pilot: The Pilot is responsible for operating the ship's boat. During the survey, the Pilot will provide surface-to-orbit support by transporting supplies and personnel. Experience operating interface craft is essential. Knowledge of engineering skills (such as Ship's Engineering, Gravitics, Electronics, etc.) is desirable. Ground time should be expected.
Security Specialist: The two Security Specialists are responsible for providing protection of the basecamp compound during the survey mission. Predatory species have been encountered on other worlds, and there is no desire to endanger the members of this operation. Military or Law Enforcement experience is preferred, and some skill in other mission-related fields is a plus. Extensive ground time is expected.
Biologist: The two Biologists are responsible for identifying, classifying, and studying the plant and animal life of ZT2. The Scout Service would prefer a botanical specialist and a zoological specialist. An additional task for the Biologists is to determine the compatibility of indigenous life and the agricultural richness rating of the world. A Master's degree in Biology is required for this position. Practical application experience is desirable. Extensive ground time is expected.
Survey: The Survey Specialist is responsible for conducting the orbital aspects of the survey. These tasks include operating active and passive electromagnetic spectrum sensor suites and interpreting the results. Experience in the UN Scout Service is useful, but any background involving sensor operations and survey is acceptable. Very limited ground time is expected.
Helm: The Helmsman is responsible for operating the sublight and supralight navigation systems of the UNSS Discovery. The Helmsman also is responsible for adjusting the Discovery's orbit during the orbital survey mission. Helm experience is essential, either with an interstellar navy or a civilian starship. Very limited ground time is expected.
Journalist: The Journalist is responsible for creating the written and electronic records of the survey. These records will include documentaries of the mission in general, visual records of the plant and animal life, and other stories of interest to the crew or the journalist. These documentaries will be released to the public after return to Earth. Journalistic experience is desired, and wildlife documentary experience is considered helpful. Extensive ground time is expected.
Civil Engineer: The Civil Engineer is responsible for the analysis of ZT2 to determine the extent of terraforming required and its suitability for such massive alterations. The Civil Engineer will work extensively with the Geologist, and will likely need to consult with the Biologists as well. A strong background in civil engineering is required, and experience with terraforming projects is desired. Extensive ground time is expected.
Please remember that this is a general survey mission, not a first contact mission. Although we have no reason to suspect sentient life on this world, the possibility exists. No one aboard the Discovery is authorized or qualified to conduct first contact operations.
As was previously mentioned, each crew member will be allowed only 150kg of equipment and belongings. Crew members may substitute equivalent items of their own for any item except the uniforms. Crew members may bring additional clothing if desired, but are required to wear issued uniforms for public appearances before departure and after return.
The following items are standard issue, and count against the 150kg limit:
One (1) General Purpose Space Suit, model VS12 (2kg)
One (1) Portable Life Support System, model PLSS-A (4kg)
Two (2) High Pressure Air Tanks, model HP (1kg each, 2kg)
Four (4) sets UN Scout Service Fatigues, your choice of Navy or Khaki (3kg each, 12 kg)
One (1) set UN Scout Service Cold Weather Fatigues, same color option (5kg)
One (1) pair boots, hiking or "combat" (1.5kg)
One (1) personal medical kit (0.5kg)
As you can see, you may bring an additional 123kg of equipment. Survey members being dispatched to the ground may store some equipment on the basecamp module, since there is not enough room for all of the ground survey team and their equipment aboard the ship's boat.
For mission specific equipment, the crew may request that the UN Scout Service supply certain basic items. The following list is the additional items that will be available. Note that these items also count against your weight limit.
Medical Kit, Doctor's (10kg) for the Ship's Doctor only.
Binoculars, PRIS (2kg) for the ChEng or Security Specialists.
Atmosphere Tester (1kg) for the Biologists only.
Computer, Hand (0.5kg) for the Biologists, Geologist, and Civil Engineer.
Holorecorder (2.5kg) for the Journalist.
Metal Detector (1kg) for the Geologist.
300km Hand Radio (0.5kg) for the Security Specialists, Biologists, Geologist, Civil Engineer, and Journalist.
Rostock Arms Assault 37 (3.7kg) with 5 magazines (200 rounds) for the Security Specialists.
I hope to see each of you at the reception on 1 February. Departure for Zeta Tucanae is scheduled for the first week of July, this year. Good luck.
(Signature)
Ron Harriman,
Director, UN Dept. of Scout Services
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